GLENDALE, Ariz. — It was a crucial moment for Jim Schwartz. The only restorable remains of a bitterly lost season were his voice and his message — in essence, his credibility. He had to sell his players on the premise that a strong finish might cleanse a little tarnish from what history will deem a miserably failed year.

The NFL schedule-makers gave Schwartz what should have been the perfect remedy for a team on a five-game losing streak — a team on a nine-game losing skid.

But the Lions again did what only they can do so well, with such annoying frequency.

They looked like a team that didn’t care anymore in a 38-10 loss today to an Arizona team that supposedly quit on its season and its coach in a 58-0 wipeout a week prior. And that should reflect poorly on Schwartz.

Today’s game figured to be a telling indicator of where the Lions’ hearts and heads were. Was there something still worth fighting for, even with last place in the NFC North assured? Was Schwartz capable of squeezing that remaining passion and purpose out of his players?

“It’s as mad as I’ve been for a long time,” Schwartz said afterward.

And now it shouldn’t be automatic that Schwartz returns next season.

Nothing went right for the man today. Even the microphone for his postgame news conference wouldn’t cooperate. Each time he tried to lift it into place, it would drop back down.

Frustrated, he finally conceded, muttering, “Whatever.”

NFL Films might consider that the title for the Lions’ 2012 season video.

The Lions, 4-10, can boast about a bunch of empty statistical accomplishments. Calvin Johnson continues to rewrite the record book, becoming the first player with back-to-back 1,600-yard receiving seasons. Matthew Stafford became the second-fastest quarterback to reach 10,000 yards, as if that somehow destines him for greatness.

Whatever.

The only stat that matters is 10 losses one year after 10 victories, this franchise’s 10th season with double-digit losses in the past 12.

The Lions couldn’t apply the hackneyed “just one play shy” cosmetic dressing to this latest abomination. The game unraveled in the final 5 minutes when the Cardinals converted Stafford’s third interception into a 102-yard touchdown return — the 10th touchdown the Lions have surrendered on defense or special teams.

The Cardinals (5-9) snapped an 11-quarter drought in which they hadn’t scored an offensive touchdown. And, of course, it was so Lions-like in how they did it. Arizona’s three offensive touchdowns came on a total of five plays.

Five plays!

Stafford told his teammates that this loss was strictly on him. He, indeed, has regressed this season. He has completed barely 50% of his passes in the second half of the past six games. That’s inexcusable. Spare me the crying about how injuries have sapped the Lions of even a marginal supporting receiving cast for Johnson. Isn’t the franchise quarterback supposed to make the pedestrian talent surrounding him a little better?

“Matt’s got to take better care of the football in a couple of situations,” Schwartz said, “but also we have to do a better job around him. One of those turnovers is on special teams. … That’s not on Matt. And the other thing is, when they want to double on Calvin every single play, we got to have another guy step up and make a play. And we had nobody really step up and make plays today.”

But the bottom line is that the Lions don’t take winning seriously enough. They thought they had arrived this season with several nationally televised games, Stafford doing those ESPN commercials and Johnson accompanying Faith Hill’s “Sunday Night Football” opening montage.

They got comfortable. They got cocky.

That’s on Schwartz.

The lowly Cardinals exposed them for what they are … and what they remain … frauds more impressed with stats than stature.

Lions fans, we know you have plenty to rant about. So join us at 4 p.m. Monday for Freep Sports Happy Hour, where we'll discussion what happened in Sunday's blowout loss and what it means going forward. Submit your questions and rants now!